equestrian act
Quick Summary
Equestrian acts in the circus involve skilled riders and horses performing various feats. These acts can be categorized into three main types: voltige, where riders vault onto and off a horse; trick riding, featuring somersaults, pirouettes, and human pyramids formed on horseback; and high school dressage, showcasing a horse's execution of complex maneuvers guided by subtle rider cues.1
Historically, scenic riding, where equestrians acted out pantomimes on horseback, was very popular. Andrew Ducrow was a notable performer of this style, known for acts like "The Courier of St. Petersburg". Bareback riding, involving acrobatic feats on horses without a saddle, also gained prominence. Additionally, "horses at liberty" acts, where horses performed without riders or tack, directed only by command, were a popular spectacle.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
circusEquestrian actsContinuing traditions from the days of Astley, scenic riding remained extremely popular in the 19th century, before the purely acrobatic style supplanted it. In scenic riding the equestrian, appropriately costumed, acted out a pantomime on horseback. The greatest exponent of this artistic modeā¦
Read MoreContinuing traditions from the days of Astley, scenic riding remained extremely popular in the 19th century, before the purely acrobatic style supplanted it. In scenic riding the equestrian, appropriately costumed, acted out a pantomime on horseback. The greatest exponent of this artistic modeā¦
Read More- circusEquestrian acts
Twentieth-century equestrian acts can be divided into three main groups: voltige, in which a rider vaults onto and off a horseās back; trick riding, in which the standing rider performs somersaults and pirouettes or forms human pyramids with other riders on one orā¦
Read MoreTwentieth-century equestrian acts can be divided into three main groups: voltige, in which a rider vaults onto and off a horseās back; trick riding, in which the standing rider performs somersaults and pirouettes or forms human pyramids with other riders on one orā¦
Read More